Police find suicide note after father’s alleged murder-suicide on the Parramatta River
Police have revealed a suicide note was discovered after the deaths of a Sydney father and his six-year-old daughter on the Parramatta River in a suspected murder-suicide.
Speaking to 2GB’s Ben Fordham, NSW Police Superintendent Joseph McNulty said a suicide note, CCTV and a number of other pieces of evidence were seized after a man’s body was found floating in the river on Saturday morning.
Emergency services were called to waters off Bayview Park in Concord yesterday after reports of a man in the river. James Brickwood
“We have uncovered a suicide note and some other evidence that to us supports this conclusion,” Superintendent McNulty said.
“It is a complex investigation to work out why this happened.
“The gentlemen was not known to police, there was no domestic violence knowledge known to police.”
McNulty said the girl’s mother was being supported by officers.
Emergency services were called to waters off Bayview Park in Concord on Saturday after reports of a man in the river.
The body of a 47-year-old man was recovered before police launched a major search for the missing child.
The six-year-old girl’s body was found several hours later following an extensive operation involving specialist police divers. It is understood that neither could swim.
A 47-year-old man’s body was found before the missing child was later discovered deceased. Supplied
Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the deaths and allege the incident was planned.
The Sydney Morning Herald, citing police sources, reported that the father had hired a boat on several occasions in the days before Saturday, and that investigators are looking at those trips as part of their inquiries.
The Parramatta River at Bayview Park, Concord in 2020. James Brickwood
Police allege the man had sent messages to friends indicating he intended to take his own life, and his daughter’s.
About 45 minutes after the initial emergency call, one of the man’s friends contacted authorities out of concern for the pair’s welfare.
The deaths come less than a month after an unrelated alleged triple murder in western Sydney in which a man was accused of killing his wife and two autistic sons.
Detectives from Strike Force Paragon are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths, with a report to be prepared for the Coroner.
If this story has raised concerns for you or someone you know, support is available through Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
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